Coping defined by the American Psychological Association is the use of cognitive and behavioural techniques to handle the demands of a situation when they are seen to be exhausting or surpassing one's resources, or to lessen the unpleasant feelings and conflict created by stress. Lazarus and Folkman (1984) defined coping as continually changing cognitive and behavioural attempts to handle particular external and internal demands that are deemed to be challenging or beyond the person's available resources. In simpler terms, coping is the process of dealing with situations or occurrences that the individual sees as "stressful". These stressful conditions are referred to as "stressors". Coping strategies/mechanisms are behavioural or cognitive patterns that people exhibit in reaction to internal or external stresses in order to alleviate discomfort or regulate the painful or difficult emotions often associated with these experiences.

Coping Theory

Coping theory is a large topic of study separated into two main parameters:

1) Focus-oriented theories (trait and state)- consider a person's internal resources and mental abilities that determine how well they adapt to a circumstance.

2) Approach-oriented theories (micro-analytic and macro-analytic)- focus on concrete or abstract coping processes (Carver, Scheier, & Weintraub, Assessing coping strategies: a theoretically based approach., 1989).

Macro-analytic trait-oriented coping theories

i. Repression and Sensitization Theory

The idea posits that coping takes place along a bipolar axis, with repression at one end and sensitization at the other. Individuals utilise repression as a coping mechanism to mitigate the effects of stress by denying or dismissing its existence. According to Cohen and Lazarus, when confronted with unexpected situations, sensitizors tend to overthink, fret, and obsess.

ii. Monitoring and Blunting Theory

The concept explains how cognitive processes can assist to mitigate the effects of stressful stimuli. Blunting tactics like denial, restructuring, and distraction can assist in avoiding momentary stress. Monitoring skills, such as information processing and emotion control, are more successful in dealing with chronic negative stress and anxiety.

iii. Model of Coping Modes (MCM)

This model is based on the monitoring-blunting concept and shares parallels with the repression-sensitization technique. It is founded on the notion of cognitive avoidance, which holds that people are naturally predisposed to avoid uncomfortable circumstances that they perceive as ambiguous.

Macro-analytical and state-oriented theories

Freud's defence mechanisms were among the first macro-analytic state-focused coping procedures (Freud, 1926[1925]). Richard Lazarus and Susan Folkman's views are also renowned in this sector. According to the Lazarus and Folkman model, successful coping methods are based on problem-related emotional functions. Lazarus identified eight common coping techniques, including self-control, social support, emotional detachment, escape/avoidance, radical acceptance, positive reappraisal, and strategic problem solving.

Bibliography

Carver, C. S., Scheier, M. F., & Weintraub, J. K. (1989). Assessing coping strategies: a theoretically based approach. Journal of personality and social psychology, 56(2), 267–283. doi:https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.56.2.267

Freud, S. (1926[1925]). Inhibitions, symptoms and anxiety. Standard edition of the complete psychological works of Sigmund Freud. (Vol. XX). London: Hogarth Press.

Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. Springer publishing company.